Mining- machine



Sept. 6, 1932. M. P. HOLMES 1,875,336

MINING MACHINE Filed June 3, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 6, 1932. M. PHOLMES 1,875,336

MINING MACHINE Filed June 3, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 fin 1932. M.,P.HOLMES 1,875,336

' MINING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Sept. 6,1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE IVIORRIS P. HOLMES, OF CLAREMONT, NEWHAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MA CHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OFMASSACHUSETTS MINING MACHINE Application filed June 3, 1929. Serial No.367,895.

This invention relates to mining machines, and more particularly, butnot exclusively, to coal mining machines of the flexibly fed, continuouscutter type.

An ob 'ect of this invention isto provide an improved coal miningmachine. Another object is to provide an improved coal mining machinehaving improved feeding mechanism. Another object is to provide animproved coal mining machine of the flexibly fed, bottom cutting typehaving improved feeding and guiding means. Still another object is toprovide an improved bottom cutting mining machine of the flexibly fed,room and pillar type having improved feeding mechanism includingrelatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members andcooperating flexible feeding means, and improved driving and controllingmeans for the said feed operating and controlling members. Still anotherobject is to provide an improved mining machine of the aforesaid typehaving improved feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feedoperating and controlling winding drums and cooperating feeding andcontrolling cables, and improved driving and controlling means for eachdrum. Another object is to provide in a mining machine of the aforesaidtype separate driving and controlling means for each winding drumwhereby the drums may be separately or simultaneously-drivenat either arelatively slow speed or a relatively high speed. Yet another object isto providein a mining machine of the aforesaidtype improved feedingmechanism including separate driving and controlling means for eachwinding drum whereby the drums maybe rotated in winding direction eitherseparately or simultaneously at relatively low speed or at relativelyhigh speed, or may rotate. in unwind-ing direction under various degreesof frictional resistance or-freely. Another object is to provideimproved guiding means for the flexible feeding means of such a machine.These and subsidiary objects of this invention will, however,subsequently more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustrationone form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of an illustrative embodiment of the improvedmining inachine, the cutter bar being partially broken away.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the ma: chine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a rear end elevational view of the improved mining machine.

Figl is an enlarged top plan view, partially shown in horizontalsection, illustrating the improved feeding mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a central, longitudinally extending, vertical sectional viewtaken substantiaL ly on line 55 of Figs. 1 and 4:.

Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view, with parts shown inelevation, taken substantially on line 66 of Figs. 2 and 5, parts beingomitted to facilitate illustration.

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical sectional view, with parts shown inelevation, taken substantially on line 77 of Fig. 4, parts being omittedto facilitate illustration.

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view illustrating the cutter chain driveclutch and the operat-. ing mechanism therefor.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the mechanism shown inFig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view illustrating the improved operatingmeans for the vention there is shown a coal mining ma chine of theflexibly fed continuous cutter, room and pillar type generallycomprisinga frame or body 1 adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction. overthe mine floor. Rigidly secured within this frame and projectingforwardly lengthwise thereof is an elongated horizontal plane cutter bar2 about the outer edges of which an endless cutter bit carrying cutterchain 3 is mounted. The machine is adapted to be fed bodily laterallyacross the coal face to insert a horizontal kerf at the base of the minewall and guided during such feeding movement by means of relativelyrotatable feed operating and controlling members 4t and 5 arranged atopposite sides of the machine at the rear end thereof on transverse axesand cooperating respectively with flexible feeding elements 6 and 7. Thefeed operating and controlling members 1 and 5 and their cooperatingflexible feeding elements 6 and 7 are herein in the form of windingdrums and cooperating feed cables or ropes. The frame or body 1comprises a bed frame 8 supported on a bottom plate or shoe 9, thelatter having a smooth bottom plane surface 10 upon which the machinerests and slides. The bed frame 8 supports at the front end thereof amotor section 11 arranged directly above the rear end of the cutter bar2. Arranged at the rear of the motor section 11 and likewise "supportedby the bed section 8 is a frame section 12 housing the driving mechanismfor the cutter chain 3 and the winding drums 4 and 5, as will later bedescribed. The cutter bar 2 is rigidly supported within the bed section8 in planes adjacent the mine floor and extends rearwardly beneath theframe sections 11 and 12 within a chamber 13 formed within the bedsection 8 and extending lengthwise through the same. As illustrated,housed within the motor frame section 11 is a motor 14 of the typecapable of driving the feeding and cutting mechanism selectively inopposite directions and is herein of the reversible, electric typehaving its power shaft 15 horizontally disposed and extendinglongitudinally of the machine. Usual control apparatus of any approveddesign is provided for the motor 1 1- and herein includes a controllerhandle 16 and a reverse switch controlling lever 17.

Now referring to the driving mechanism for the cutter chain 3, it willbe noted that suitably fixed as by a key and screw connection to therear end of the motor shaft 15 is a bevel pinion 18 meshing with a bevelgear 19 secured by a key 20 to a vertical shaft 21 disposed midwaybetween the sides of the machine frame. This shaft is journaled at itsupper end within a bearing 22 suitably sup ported within the upper partof the frame section 12 while the lower end of this shaft is journaledin a bearing 23 suitably supported within the bedsection 8. As shown inFig. 5, the shaft 21 has secured thereto a spur pinion 24 disposed belowthe bevel gear 19 and meshing with a large spur gear 25. This spur gearis sec-ured'by a key 26 to a vertical shaft 27 arranged parallel withand at. the rear of the shaft 21 and in the same longitudinallyextending vertical plane. As illustrated, the upper end of this shaft 27is journaled in a bearing sleeve 28 suitably supported in the framesection 12 and the lower end of this shaft is journaled in a cup-shapedbearing 29 arranged within a bore 30 formed within an upstanding boss 31herein formed integral with a detachable bottom plate 32 suitablysecured to the bed section 8. A screw 33 is employed for adjustablysecuring the bearing member 29 to the detachable bottom plate 32. Thebottom plate or shoe 9 is formed with an opening 34 which receives thedetachable plate 32 and the bottom surface of this detachable plate isformed flush with the plane bottom surface 10 of the shoe, therebyforming a smooth sliding supporting surface for the machine. Downwardthrust of the spur gear 25 is received by a ball thrust bearing 36 heldin position by the upper surface of the boss 31 and a top flange on thebearing member 29. Suitably secured to the hub of the spur gear 25 is anannular plate or ring 37 having an inwardly projecting flanged portionunderlying the lower race of the ball bearing 36 and an upstandingannular flange portion surrounding this ball hearing and projectingwithin a bore formed in the hub of the spur gear 25. As clearly shown inFig. 5, surrounding the hub portion of the spur gear 25 and supported bythe annular plate 37 secured to the gear is a bearing sleeve 38rotatably supporting a cutter chain drive sprocket 39 which engages anddrives the cutter chain 3 in a usual man ner. Clutch mechanism of ausual design is employed for connecting this cutter chain drive sprocket39 directly to the spur gear 25 for rotation therewith and hereincomprises clutch pins 10 slidably mounted within bores 41 formed withinthe spur gear 25. These clutch pins when in their downward position (asshown in Fig. 5) are interlocked with clutch teeth 12 formed on thecutter chain sprocket 39. The clutch pins 10 are herein formed integralwith an annular member or ring 43 and cooperating with this ring areslidable lifting members 44 (see Figs. 8 and 9) arranged in bores 45formed within the frame section 12 and having outwardly projectingbottom flanges underlying the bottom surface of the ring. These members44 carry pins 16 with which the arms of a shipper yoke 47 cooperate.This shipper yoke is pivotally mounted at A8 on the chine frame and haspivotally connected thereto at 19 a link 50 in turn pivotally connectedat 51 to a crank or arm 52. This crank is keyed to a horizontaltransversely extending shaft 53 suitably rotatably mounted within themachine frame and having secured thereto at its outer end an operatinglever 54 (see also Fig. 4-). This lever has any usual spring-pressedlocking means 55 for holding the same in itsdifierent adjusted polationwith the motor 14. When this clutch is in its connected position asshown in Fig. 5, the cut er chain drive sprocket 39 may be driven fromthe motor through bevel gears 18, 19, vertical shaft 21, spur pinion 24and the spur gear 25. The cutter chain may be disconnected from themotor at will simply by disconnecting the cutter chain drive sprocketfrom the spur gear 25.

Now referring to the improved feeding mechanism, it will be noted thatimproved separate driving and controlling means is provided for eachwinding drum whereby the drums may be rotated in winding directioneither separately or simultaneously at a relatively slow speed or arelatively high speed, or may rotate in unwinding direction undervarious degrees of frictional resistance or without such resistance. Asshown in the drawings, the vertical shaft 27 has clutched thereto at itsupper end at 57 an alined shaft 58 journaled in ball bearings 59suitably supported in the frame section 12. As shown in Fig. 5, formedwithin the upper end of this shaft 58 is a bore 60 having a drive fitwith a vertical stud 61. Supported by this stud is a spur pinion 62connected by a j aw clutch 63 to the upper end of the vertical shaft 58.As shown in Fig. 4, meshing with this spur pinion 62 are spur gears 64and 65 having their axes disposed in a common transverse vertical planeat opposite sides of the longitudinal vertical center of the machine(see also Fig. 7). These spur gears are supported on vertical studs g 66having drive fits with bores 67 formed within the upper ends of verticalshafts 68 and 69 respectively. The gears 64 and 65 are connected by j awclutches 70 respectively to the upper ends of the shafts 68 and 69 androtate with these shafts. These shafts are journaled at their oppositeends within ball bearings 71 and 72 suitably supported within the framesection 12, the latter bearings each being held in position by aretaining member 73. Disposed parallel with the shafts 68 and 69 at theopposite sides of the machine are vertical shafts 74 and 75 having theiraxes disposed in the same transverse vertical plane as the aXes of theshafts 68 and 69. These shafts are journaledat their opposite ends inball bearings 76 and 77 suitably supported within the frame section 12,the bearings 77 each being held in position by a retaining ring 78.Secured as by a key 79 tothe lower end ofeach of the shafts 74 and 75respectively are sp ur gears 80 and 81 meshing with opposite sides ofthe spur gear 25, as clearly shown in Figs.

4 and 7. It will thus be seen that the shafts 68 and 69 are driven inthe same direction at a relatively slow speed by the vertical shaft 27through the spur pinion 62 and spur gears 64 and 65, while the shafts 74and 75 are driven in the same direction at a relatively high speed bythe spur gears 80 and 81 meshing with the large spur gear 25 which alsodrives the cutter chain sprocket 39 as heretofore described.

Referringto the fast and slow speed driving connections for the feeddrum 4 and more particularly to the slow speed driving connectionstherefor, it will be observed that formed inte ral with the verticalshaft 68 intermediate its ends is a worm 82 meshing with a worm wheel 83having its hub portion at its inner side journaled in a ball hearing 84suitably supported by a central bearing bracket suitably supportedwithin the frame section 12 (see Fig. 4). The other side of this wormwheel is journaled on a ball bearing 85 supported by a horizontal shaft86 extending transversely of the machine. The inner end of this shaft isjournaled in a ball bearing 87 supported within the hub of the wormwheelwhile the other end of this shaft is journaled in a ball hearing 88suitably supported within the side of the frame section 12. The wormwheel 83 is connectible by a friction disc clutch 89 of a usual designto a clutch member 90 7 keyed at 91 to the shaft 86. Suitably secured tothe outer end of the shaft 86 is a spur pinion 92 meshing with aninternal gear 93 connected to the feed drum 4. When the clutch 89 isapplied, the feed drum 4 may be driven in winding direction from themotor 14 at a relatively slow speed through the bevel gearing 18, 19,spur gearing 24, 25, vertical shaft 27, spur pinion 62, spur gear 64,vertical shaft 68,worm 82, worm wheel 83, shaft 86, spur pinion 92 andthe internal gear secured to the drum.

' The fast speed driving mechanism for the feed drum 4 comprises a worm94 preferably formed integral with the vertical shaft 74 intermediateits ends, this worm having teeth of more inclination than the teeth ofthe worm 82 and is herein a fast speed worm. This worm 94 meshes with aworm wheel 95 having its inner hub portion ournaled on a ball bearing 96supported by the transverse shaft 86. The outer side of this worm wheelis journaled on a ball bearing 97 supported by the sleeve porti on of aclutch member 98 keyed at 99 to the shaft 86. This worm wheel 95 isconnectible by a friction disc clutch 100 ofa usual design to the clutchmember 98 previously described. It will thus be seen that when theclutch 100 is applied the feed drum 4 may be driven in winding directionat a relatively high speed in the same direction as the'low speeddescribed above through bevel gearing 18, 19, spur gearing 24:, 25, spurgear 80, worm 94;, worm wheel 95, shaft 86, spur pinion 92 and internalgear 93 secured to the drum 4. The operating mechanism for the frictionclutches 89 and 100 comprises a clutch applying member 101 having aninwardly projecting flange projecting between and engaging ball thrustbearings 102. These thrust bearings engage members 103 having inwardlyprojecting fingers projecting through the hub of the worm wheel intoengagement with the adjacent end disc of the clutch discs. The clutchapplying member 101 and the members 103 surround the adj acent hubs ofthe worm wheels and are slidably mounted thereon. .T he operating meansfor the clutch. applying member 101 will be later described.

The fast and slow speed. driving connections for the controlling drum 5are substantially the same as the driving connections for the feed drum4: with the exception that the drum 5 is driven in the oppositedirection from that in which the drum 1 is driven and include a slowspeed worm 101 secured to the vertical shaft 69 and meshing with a wormwheel 105. This worm wheel is connectible by a friction clutch 106 of ausual design to a clutch member 107 keyed to a transversely extendinghorizontal shaft 108 alined. with the shaft 86 and disposed on theopposite side of the longitudinal center of the machine. Secured to thevertical shaft is a fast speed worm 109 meshing with a worm wheel 110connectible by a friction disc clutch 111 to a clutch member 112 alsokeyed to the shaft 108. The bearing structure for the worm wheels 105and 110 and the shaft 108 is identical to that for the worm wheels 83and 95 and the shaft 86 and therefore detailed description of the sameis thought unnecessary. Suitably secured to the outer end of the shaft108 is a spur pinion 113 meshing with an internal gear 114 connected tothe winding drum 5. it will thus be seen that when the clutch 106 isapplied, the winding drum 5 may be driven from the motor 1 1 in windingdirection at a relatively slow speed through bevel gearing 18, 19, spurgear 24,-, 25, vertical shaft 27, spur gearing 62, 65, worm 104E, wormwheel 105, shaft 108, spur pinion 113 and internal gear 111 secured tothe drum 5. VJ hen the'friction clutch 111 is applied, the winding drum5 may be driven from the motor in a Winding direction at a relativelyhigh speed through bevel gearin 18, 19, spur gearing 2 1, 25, spur gear81, worm 109, wo in wheel 110, shaft 108, spur pinion 113 meshing withinternal gear 114 secured to the drum 5. The applying means for thefriction clutches 106 and 111 is identical to the operating means forthe frictions-clutches 89 and 100 and includes a clutch'applying' member115 similar to the member 101. i It will be noted that the frictionclutch-es controlling the drive for either drum may he releasedsuiliciently to permit the drums to rotate in unwinding direction tounwind the cables under various degrees of frictional resistance underthe control of the clutch operating mechanism. Upon release of thefriction clutches the drums may be entirely relieved from any frictionalresistance due to the action of the friction clutches. As shown in Fig.6, each of the winding drums 1 and 5 is journaled on the side of themachine frame on a laterally projecting stub shaft 116 formed integralwith a plate 116 secured as by screws 116 to tl e side of the framesection 12. Supported on this shaft are ball bearings 11'? on which thedrum is journaled. Each of the winding drums is composed of two partssecured together by screws 118 and suitable dowel pins and is held fromaxial displacement from the shaft by means of a two-part or split sleeve119 seated in are duced oortion on the shaft and engaging the innerraces of the ball bearings. This two part sleeve is held in place by aretaining ring 120, and the complete bearin structure for each drum isdisposed in a bore 121 within the drum. The opposite sides of the framesection 12 each have an annular flanged portion 122 encircling theinternal gears 93 and 11 1 on the drums. These flanged portions eachcarry packing rings 123 engaging the external periphery of the internalgears and thereby prevent access of dirt or other foreign substances tothe internal mechanism.

The operating mechanism for the clutch applying members 101 and 115, asshown in Fi 10, comprises shipper yolies 12 1 and 125 engaging themembers 101 and 115 respectively. As shown in Fig. 11, each of theseshipper yokes is pivotally mounted at 126 within the frame section 12,and they are pivotally connected at 12'? to trunnion members 128 and129, respectively. The trunnion member 128 is in the form of a nutthreadedly connected at 130 to a screw 131 formed integral with a hollowshaft 13;. This shaft is j ournaled in a ball bearing 133 supported inthe side of the frame section 12 and has clutch teeth 13 1 connectibleto clutch teeth 135 carried by a clutch member secured to a horizontalshaft 136 extenning centrally througl the shaft 3.. transversely of therear end of the machine. Secured to this shaft 136 between its ends isan operating lever 137. The trunnion 129 connected to the shipper yoke12 1 is threadedly connected to a screw formed on a shaft 138 similar tothe shaft 132 and having clutch teeth similarly connectible to clutchteeth car ried by the other end of the transverse shaft 136. It willthus be seen that when the operator graspsthe lever 13'? and shifts theshaft 136 in the proper direction, the clutch teeth 13 1, 135 areconnected, thereby connecting the shaft 136 to the shaft 132 and uponrotation of the shaft 136 the screw 131 is rotated, thereby moving thetrunnion nut 128 axially to swing the shipper yoke 125 about its pivot,

in the proper direction, the trunnion nut 129 is moved axially by thescrew, thereby swing ing the shipper yoke 124 and applying one or. theother of the friction clutches 89 and 100.

Improved guiding means is employed for the feed and controlling cables 6and 7 and herein includes guide sheaves 140 and 141 disposed at oppositesides of the forward end of the machine frame, as clearly shown inFig. 1. These guide sheaves are adjustably mounted on the frame of themachine inan improved manner and the adjustable mounting for each sheavecomprises'a swing arm 142 (see also Fig. 12) pivotally connected at 143within'a recess 144 formed within the side of the motor frame section11. As illustrated, pivotally connected to the outer end of this swingarm 142 at 145 is a support member 146 carrying at its outer end a stud147. Supported by the stud is a bearing sleeve 148 on which theguidesheave is journaled. It'will thus be seen that 3a with the parts in theposition indicated by full the machine frame.

lines in Fig. 12, the support 146 and the guide sheave may swingupwardly and downwardly about the pivot 145 to permit the cable toassume positions at difierent angles relative to The swing arm 142 isheld in the full line. position indicated in Fig. 12 by means of alocking pin 149 insert-- able within an aperture 150 formed within theswing arm 142. This pin, as shown in 3; Fig. 13, is slidably mountedwithin a guide member 151 secured to the side ofthe machine frame. Theouter end of this pin 149 is pivotally connected at 152 to an operatinglever 153 pivoted at 154 on the side of the machine.

3 lVhen the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 13, the swing arm142 is locked against swinging movement.

swing arm, the latter may be swung upward- ;ly to the dotted lineposition shown in Fig.

12, and maintained in that position by the locking pin 149 underlyingthe swing arm. The support 146 for the guide sheave may be swung intoits out of the way position against the side of the machine frame asindisleeve 157 supported by a vertical stud158 secured to a bracket 159secured to the side of the frame section 12. Pivotally mounted at thelower end of each of the studs 158 at 160 is a cable retaining member161 which prevents the cable, when slackened, from drop- VVhen thelocking pin. 149 is released from the aperture 150 in the ping off theguide sheave. Arranged at the inner side of the guide sheaves 155 and156 on inclined axes and supported by the brackets 159 are guide sheaves162 and 163 while arranged between the sheaves 162 and 163 on similarlyinclined axesare guide sheaves 164 and 165. Disposed on a vertical-axisat the longitudinal vertical center of the machine is a guide sheave166. When the machine is cutting from right to left, the feed cable 6extends from beneath the feed drum 4 forwardly along the advancing sideof the machine around the front guide sheave 140 and laterally of themachine. The controlling cable 7 extends from beneath the controllingdrum 5 rearwardly along the rear side of the machine around the guidesheave 156 and laterally of the machine. The cable 6 is wound aboutthewinding drum 4 in a direction op-- posite from that which the cable 7 iswound on the drum 5, but as these drums rotate in oppositedirections,the cables are both drawn in by power. Either of the cables 6and 7 may be extended from its drum upwardly around one of the inclinedguide sheaves 162, 163, downwardly beneath one of the inclined guidesheaves 164, 165 and around the central guide sheave 166 rearwardly fromthe rear end of the machine. When the machine is cutting from left toright the cables are reversely wound on their respective drums and thecable 7 extends from beneath the drum 5 forwardly'around the guidesheave 141 and the cable 6 extends from beneath the drum 4 rearwardlyaround the guide sheave 155 as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. I

Themining machine is adapted to be supported on a transport truck in awell known manner and the mining machine motor 14 is adapted to drivethe truck wheels. The truck driving means on the machine comprises aspur gear 167 meshing, as shown in Fig. 5, with the spur gear 25 andjournaled on a bearing sleeve 168 supported by a vertical shaft 169suitably secured within the frame section 12. This spur gear 167 isadapted to mesh with a truck driving gear on the transport truck and themining machine motor 14 is adapted to drive the truck wheels throughbevel gearing 18, 19, spur gearing 24, 25, and the truck driving gear167. As shown most clearly in Fig. 3, the frame 12 is cut away atmanner. The cable 7 is then extended from beneath the controlling drumrearwardly around the guide sheave 156, forwardly along the side of themachine, around the front 5 guide sheave 141 and forwardly from themachine to a suitable anchor or roof jack located adjacent the coal faceat the right hand rib of the room.

winding direction by the motor 14 at a relatively fast speed and as aresult the controlling cable 7 is drawn in and the machine H moved at afast moving speed over the mine floor. If desired, the feed cable 6 andfeed drum 4 may be utilized to move the machine over the mine floor andunder certain conditions both the cables 6 and 7 may be extend- M edforwardly of the machine to'suitable anchors or jacks adjacent the coalface to move the machine over the mine floor. After the machine has beensuitably positioned adjacent the coal face at the right hand rib of the4 room, the clutch 111 is released and the con face at the left hand ribof the room. The operator then manipulates the lever 54, therebyshifting the clutch pins 40 into interlocking relationwith the clutchjaws 42 formed on the cutter chain driving sprocket 39, therebyconnecting the cutter chain 3 in driving relation with the motor 14, andas a result the cutter chain is rapidly circulated about the outer edgesof the cutter bar 2. The friction clutch 106 within the slow speed wormwheel 105 is then applied and the drum 5 is driven in winding directionat a relatively slow speed, thereby feeding the machine longitudinallyto sump the cutter bar beneath the mine wall, the clutch 89 within theslow I speed worm wheel 83 being so applied at that 50' time as toeffect rotation of the feed drum 4 in winding direction at a slow speedto mail tain a desired controlling tension on the feed cable 6 to guidethe machine during its sumping movement. If desired, the feed cable 6 7and feed drum 4 may be utilized to feed the machine longitudinally toeffect sumping of the cutter bar beneath the coal. It will also be'notedthat if desired both the cables 6 and 7 may be extended to anchorsadjacent the coal face and drawn in by the drums 4 and 5 to effectlongitudinal movement of the machine at a sumping speed. After the sump-89 within the slow speed worm wheel 83 is then fully applied,.therebyeffecting rotation The friction clutch 111 within the fast speed wormwheel 110' is then applied and the drum 5 is driven in mg out has beencompleted, the friction clutch of the feeddrum 4 at a relatively slowspeed in winding direction and as a result the machine is straightenedup and fed transversely across the coal face to effect the transverseout. During this transverse cutting operation the friction clutch 106within the slow speed worm wheel 105 is partially applied and the drum 5is rotated ata slow speed in a directionto wind in the controlling cable7, but due to the opposing forces caused by the pull of the feed cable 6on the forward end of the machine and the reaction of the cuttersagainst the coal, the controlling cable 7 is pulled oil? the drum 5under the frictional resistance of the friction clutch 106. If it isdesired during the transverse cutting operation to angle the cutter bar,the operator may release the controlling drum 5 from its drive, therebypermitting the drum to rotate freely andas a result the rear end of themachine is swung forwardly due to the pull of the feed cable 6 on thefront end of the machine frame. If it is desired to swing the cutter barforwardly, this may be accomplished by applying the fast speed frictionclutch 111 within the worm wheel 110, thereby causing the controllingdrum 5 to be rotated at a high speed in a direction to wind in thecontrolling cable 7, and resultantly swinging the rear end of themachine rearwardly and angling the cutter bar; This can also beaccomplished more slowly by more fully loading clutch 106. The cutterbar may be swung forwardly also by the application of the fast speedfriction clutch 100 within the worm wheel 95 to cause the feed drum 4 towind in the feed cable 6 at a relatively high speed. At the end-of thetransverse cut the machine is angled relative to the coal face in a wellknown manner and the feed cable 6 is disconnected from its jack and thefront guide sheave 140 and extended from the feed drum 4 to an anchor orroof jack located at the rear of the machine. The feed drum 4 is thenrotatedin a direction to wind in the feed cable 6 at a relatively slowspeed thereby feeding the machine rearwardly, withdrawing the cutter barfrom beneath the coal. The machine is then hauledover the mine bottom ata relatively high speed'by one or the other, or both, of the feed cables6 and 7 and loaded on its transport truck. If desired, the controllingcable 7 may be extended from beneath the controlling drum 5 upwardlyaround the guide sheave 163, then downwardly and laterally beneath theguide sheave 165, around the central large sheave 166, rearwardly fromthe rear end of the machine, and this cable when so disposed may bewound in to feed the machine rearwardly over the mine floor and onto itstransport truck. When it is desired to operate the machine in theopposite direction to insert a horizontal kerf beneath the coal in adirection from left to right, the motor 14 may be reversed, the cutterbits turned within their re-.

ed that an improved mining machine is provided having. improved feedingmechanism whereby the machine may be fed and guided in an improvedmanner. It will further be noted that an improved mining machine feedingmechanism is provided wherein a plurality of drums is employed andimproved driving and controlling means for the drums whereby the lattermay be rotated either separately or simultaneously in winding directionat relatively high speed or at relatively slow speed, may rotate inunwinding direction under various degrees of operator controlled"frictional resistance, or may rotate freely in unwinding direction. Itwill further be noted that an improved room and pillar mining machine isprovided of exceedingly compact construction having improved feedingmechanism of a symmetrical, well balanced and compact design, thedriving connections be tween the motor and each of the drums beingsubstantially identical in construction and operation.

While there is in this application specifically described one form whichthe invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that thisform of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that theinvention may be modifiedand embodied in various other forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim asnew and desire to secure by Letters Patent is z 1. In amining machine, a motor and feeding means driven by said motor includingrelatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members disposed onaxes parallel to a transverse vertical plane and each adapted tocooperate with flexible feeding means, and separate. fast and slow speeddriving connections between said motor and each of said members entirelydistinct from the drive for the other member, the drivingconnections foreach member including parallel worms and coaxial worm wheels meshingtherewith.

2. In a mining machine, a motor and feeding means driven by said motorincluding relatively rotatable feed operating and controllin membersdisposed on axes parallel to a transverse vertical plane and eachadapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means,

and separate fast and slow speed driving connections between said motorand each of said members entirely distinct from the drive for the othermember, the driving connections for each member including parallel wormsand coaxial worm wheels meshing therewith and a separate frictioncontrolling clutch for connecting each worm wheel in driving relationwith its respective member. '3. A mining machine feeding mechanismincluding relatively rotatable feed members disposed on axes parallel toa transverse vertical plane and each adapted to cooperate directly withflexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for saidmembers including a separate and distinct plural speed transmissionmechanism for each member whereby said members may be driven eitherseparately or simultaneously at relatively low speed or at a relativelyhigh speed, each of said transmission mechanisms including a. fast speedgear train and a slow speed gear train, an element of each gear trainrotating about a vertical axis.

4. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members including aseparate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for eachmember whereby said members may be driven either separately orsimultaneously at relatively low speed or at relativelyhigh speed, eachof said transmission mechanismsincluding a fast speed gear train and aslow speed gear train, and a gear train of each mechanism including anelement rotating about a vertical axis and a common driving member forsaid elements and rotating about a parallel axis.

5. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with fiex-' ible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members including aseparate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for eachmember whereby said members may be driven either separately orsimultaneously at relatively low speed or at relatively high speed, eachof said transmission mechanisms including a fast speed gear train and aslow speed gear train, and each gear train having an element rotatingabout a vertical axis, and a common driv-' ing element for said elementsof one gear train in the drive for both members and rotating about aparallel axis.

6. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members disposed on axes parallel to a transverse vertical planeand each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, andmotor operated driving means for said members including a separate anddistinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member wherebysaid members may be driven either separately or simultaneously atrelatively low speed or at relatively high speed, each of saidtransmission mechanisms including a fast speed worm gear train and aslow speed worm gear train, and each gear train including a wormrotating about a vertical axis. 7

7. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members including aseparate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for eachmember whereby said members may be driven either separately orsimultaneously at relatively lOW speed or at relatively high speed, eachof said transmission mechanisms including a fast speed Worm gear trainand a slow speed worm gear train, each gear train including a wormrotating about a vertical axis, and common driving gearing for the wormsof one gear train in the drive for both of said members.

8. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relativelyrotatablevfeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexiblefeeding means, and motor operated driving means for said membersincluding a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanismfor each member whereby said members may be driven either separately orsimultaneously at relatively low speed or at relatively high speed, eachof said transmission mechanisms including a fast speed worm gear trainand a slow speed worm gear train, each gear train including a wormrotating about a vertical axis, com mon driving gearing for the worms ofone gear train in the drive for both of said men bers, and separate anddistinct driving gearing for said other worms.

9. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members disposed on axes parallel to a transverse vertical planeand each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, andmotor operated driving means for said members including a separate anddistinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member wherebysaid members may be driven either separately or simultaneously atrelatively low speed or at relatively high speed, and each of saidtransmission mechanisms including a fast speed worm gear train and a.slow speed worm gear train, each of said trains including a Worm andall of the worms of said trains rotating on parallel axes.

10. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members disposed on axes parallel to a transverse vertical planeand each adapted to cooperate directly With flexible feeding means, and

motor operated driving means for said members including a separate anddistinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member wherebysaid members may be driven either separately or simultaneously atrelatively high speed or at relatively low speed, and each of saidtransmission mechanisms including a fast speed worm gear train and aslow speed worm gear train, and each of said trains including a worm andsaid worms rotating on parallel vertical axes.

11. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated d iving means for said members including aseparate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for eachmember whereby said members may be driven either separately orsimultaneously at relatively low speed or at relativly high speed, eachof said transmission mechanisms including a fast speed gear train and aslow speed gear train, a driving gear rotatable about a vertical axisand driving gears meshing therewith, and connected respectively to agear train in the drive for each member.

12. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members including aseparate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for eachmember whereby said members may be driven either separately orsimultaneously at relatively low speed or at relatively high speed, eachof said transmission mechanisms including a fast speed gear train and aslow speed gear train, one gear train for each member including a gearrotating about a vertical axis, gears respectively connected to saidgears, and a common driving gear meshing with said last mentioned gears.

13. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flex ible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members including aseparate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for eachmember whereby said members may be driven either separately orsimultaneously at relatively low speed or at relatively high speed, eachof said transmission mechanisms including a fast speed gear train and aslow speed gear train, one gear train for each member including a gearrotating about a vertical axis, gears respectively connected to saidgears, and a common driving gear meshing with said last mentioned gearsand rotating about a vertical axis.

14. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members disposed on axes parallel toaftransverse vertical plane andeach adapted tocooperate directly With flexible feeding means, and motoroperated driving means for said members including a fast speed geartrain and a slow speed gear train for one member, a separate anddistinct fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train for saidother member, said gear trains for both members each including a drivinggear rotatable about a vertical axis.

15. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members disposed on axes parallel to a transverse vertical planeand each adapted to cooperate directly With fiexiblefeeding means, andmotor operated driving means for said members including a fast speedgear train and aslow speed gear train forone member, a separate anddistinct fast speed gear'train anda slow speed gear trainfor said othermember, a gear driving elements of the fast speed gear trains for bothmembers and another gear driving elements of the slowspeedgear trainsfor both members.

16. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members disposed on axes parallel to a transverse vertical planeand each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, andmo tor operated driving means for said members including a fast speedgear train and a slow speed gear train for vone member, a separate anddistinct fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train for saidother member, the fast speed gear trains for both members includingdriving gears rotatable about parallel axes and the slow speed-geartrains for both members including driving gears rotatable about parallelaxes laterally offset from but parallel With the axes of said firstmentioned driving gears i 17. A mining machine feeding mechanismincluding relatively rotatable feed members disposed on axes parallel toa transverse vertical plane and each adapted to cooperate directly withflexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for saidmembers including a fast speed gear'train and a slow speed gear trainfor one ,member, a separate and distinct fast speed gear train and aslow speed gear train for said other member, the fast speed gear trainsfor both members including driving gears rotatable about parallel axesand the slow'speed gear trains for both members including driving gearsrotatable about parallel axes, 'ajgear driving both ofsaidgears of saidfast speed gear trains, and another gear driving both of said gears ofsaidslovvspeed gear itrains.

18. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members disposed on axes parallel toa transverse vertical plane andeach adaptedto cooperate dircctly Withflexible feedingmeans, andlmotoroperated driving means for said members inclu'dinga fast speed geartrain and a slow speed gear train for one member, a separate anddistinct fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train for saidother memberythe tatable about parallel axes, a gear driving both ofsaid gears of said fast speed gear trains, and another gear driving bothof said gears of said slow speed gear trains, said driving gearsrotating about vertical axes.

19. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with 'flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members including afast speed gear train and a slow'speed gear train for one member, aseparate and distinct fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear trainfor said other member, the fast speed gear trains for'both membersincluding gears rotating about vertical axes, the slow speed gear trainsfor both members including gears rotating about vertical axes, a drivinggear meshing with said gears of said fast speed gear trains and adriving gear meshing with said gears of said sloW speed geartrains.

20. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members including afast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train for one member, aseparate and distinct fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear trainfor said other member, the fast speed gear tramsfor both membersincluding gears rotating about vertical axes, the slow speed gear trainsfor both members including gears rostating about vertical axes, adriving gear meshing .with said gears ofsaid fast speed gear trains, anda drivinggear mesl'ingwith said gears ofsaid slow speed gear trains,said driving gears being coaxially arranged.

21. A .miningvmachine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed member's each-adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members including afast speed gear trainand aslow speed gear train for one member, aseparate and distinct fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear trainfor said other member, the fast speed gear trains for both membersincluding gears'rotating about verticalaxes, the slow speed geartrainsfor both members includinggears rotating about vertical axes, adrivinggear,

meshingivith said gears of said fast speed gear trains, and a drivinggear meshing with the said gears ofsaid slow speed geartrains, saiddriving gears rotating about vertical axes.

22. A miningmachine feeding mechanism separately or simultaneously atrelatively dri. g 'aratc fast speed including relatively rotatable feedmembers each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedm means,and motor operated driving means for said members including a shaft,

gears coaxial therewith, separate slow speed gear trains driven by oneof said gears for said members respectively, and septrains driven bysaid other coaxial gear and respectively driving said .feed members.

each adapted to cooperate directly with ible feeding means, and motoroperated driving means for said members including a shaft, gears coaxialwith said shaft at the opposite ends thereof, a fast speed gear trainand a slow speed gear train for onemember and a. fast. speed gear trainand a slow speed gear train for said other member, the slow speed geartrains for said members being operatively connected to the gear one endof said shaft and the fast speed gear trains for'said members beingoperatively connected to the gear the opposite end of said shaft.

25. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members disposed on axes parallel to a transverse vertical planeand each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, andmotor operated driving means for said members whereby said members maybe driven either high speed or at relatively low speed and including aseparate and distinct plural predetermined speed transmission mechanismfor each member, each of said transmission mechanisms including coaxialworm wheels, worms meshing respectively therewith and rotating onparallel'axes, and manually controllable' clutches for selectivelyconnecting said worm wheels in driving relation with their respectivemembers.

26. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members disposed on axes parallel to a transverse vertical planeand each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, andmotor operated driving means for said members whereby said members maybe driven either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speedor at relatively low speed and including a separate and distinct pluralpredetermined speed transmission mechanism mechanisms including-coaxialWorm wheels,

worms meshing respectively therewith and rotating on parallel verticalaxes, and manually controllable clutches for selectively connecting saidworm wheels in driving relation with their respective members.

27 In a mining machine, cutting mecha nism including a kerf cutter anddriving meanstherefor including a gear, and feed ing means includingrelatively rotatable feed members each adapted to cooperate directlywith flexible feeding means and motor operated driving means for saidmembers whereby said members may be driven either separately orsimultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed andincluding a separate and distinct plural predetermined speedtransmission mechanism for each member whereby said members may bedriven either separately or simultaneously at fast or slow speeds, saidtransmission mechanisms both being driven by said kerf cutter drivinggear and each including a gear element meshing with said gear.

28. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter anddriving means therefor including a gear, and feeding means includingrelatively rotatable feed members each adapted to'cooperate directlywith flexible feeding means and motor operated driving means'for saidmembers including separate fast and slow speed gear trains for eachmember whereby said members may be driven either separately orsimultaneously at fast or slow speeds, one of said gear trains for eachmember having a gear meshing with and driven by said kerf cutter drivinggear, and said other gear trains for said members including a drivingelement coaxial with said kerf cutter driving gear.

29. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter anddriving means therefor including a gear, and feeding means includingrelatively rotatable feed members each adapted to coo aerate directlywith flexible feeding means and motor operated driving means for saidmembers including separate fast and slow speed trains for each memberwhereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneouslyat fast or slow speeds, one of said gear trains for each member having agear meshing with and driven by said lrerf cutter driving gear, a shaftdriven by said kerf cutter driving gear, and the other gear trains forsaid members being driven by said shaft.

30. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter anddriving means therefor including a. gear, and feeding means includingrelatively rotatable feed members each adapted .to cooperate directlywith flexible feeding means and motor operated driving means for saidmembers including separate fast and slow speed gear ible feeding means,and motor operated driving means for said members including coaxialdriving gears rotating about an axis lying in a verticalplane extendingtransversely of the machine, a fast speed gear train for each member,each including a gear meshing with and driven by one of said coaxialgears and a slow speed gear train for each member each including a gearmeshing with and driven by said other coaxial gear.

32. A mining machine'feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flex-, ible feedingmeans, and motor operated driv ing means for said members includingcoaxial driving gears rotating about a vertical axis, a fast speed geartrain for each member, each including a gear meshing with and driven byone of said coaxial gears'and a slow speed gear train for each membereach including a gear meshing with and driven by saidother coaxial gear.

33. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter "anddriving means therefor including-a driving gear, and feeding means forthe machine driven by said kerf cutter driving gear and includingrelatively rotatable feed members disposed on axes parallel to atransverse vertical plane and each adapted to cooperate directly withflexible feeding means and driving mechanism for said members includinga separate and distinct plural speedtransmission mechanism for eachmember whereby said members may be driven either separately orsimultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed eachtransmission mechanism including a fast speed geartrain and a frictioncontrolling clutchand a slow speed gear train having a separate frictioncontrolling clutch. Y

34. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter anddriving means thereforincluding a driving gear, and

' feeding means for'the machinedriven'b'y said kerf cutter driving gearandincluding relatively rotatable feed members disposed 011 axesparallel to a transverse vertical plane and each adapted to cooperate"directly with flexible feeding means 'and driving mechanism for saidmembers including a separate and distinct plural speedtransmissionmechanism for each member whereby said members may be driveneither separatelyor simultaneously at relatively high speed or atrelatively low speed, eachtransmission mechanism including a fast speedworm, gear train and a slow speed worm gear train.

35.. In a miningmachine, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter anddriving means therefor including a driving gear, and feeding means forthe machine driven by said kerf cutter driving gear and includingrelatively rotatable feed members disposed on axes parallel to atransverse vertical plane and each adapted to cooperate directly withflexible feeding means and driving mechanism for said members includinga separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for eachmember whereby said members may be driven either separately orsimultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed, eachtransmission mechanism; including a fast speed worm gear train and aslow speed worm gear trainand each gear train includinga final wormwheel and manually controllable friction clutches for selectivelyconnecting said worm wheels in driving relation with their respectivemembers; e

36. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including akerf cutter anddriving means therefor including a motor shaft and a transmissionelement driven thereby, and feeding means including relatively rotatablefeeding members of the same size and diameter and rotatable at likeperipheral speeds both at a relatively fast predetermined e movingspeedand a relatively slow predetermined cutting speed and either capable of,acting as a feed member and a controlling member, said members beingdisposed on axes parallel to a transverse vertical plane and eachadapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and aseparate and distinct multi-speed driving mechanism for each member andboth driven bysaid transmission element and operative to drive saidmembers either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw intheir respective flexible feeding means at relatively high speed or atrelatively low speed,each driving mechanism including a fast speedfriction controlling clutch and a slow speed friction controllingclutch.

37. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter anddriving means therefor including a motor shaft and a transmissionelement driven thereby, and feeding means including relatively rotatablefeeding members of the same size and diameter and rotatable at likeperipheral speeds both at a relatively fast predetermined moving speedanda relatively'slow predeter-' mined cutting speed and either capableof acting as a feedmember and a controllingv member, said members beingdisposed on axes parallel to a transverse vertical plane and eachadapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and a.separate and distinct multi-speed driving mechanismfor each member andboth driven by said transmission element and operative to drive saidmembers either separately or simultaneously in a direction to drawin'their respective flexi- I 'bleifeeding means at'relatively high speedor at relatively low speed or to permit said members to revolve in adirection to pay out their respective flexible feeding means undervarious degrees of frictional resistance, each driving mechanismincluding a fast speed friction controlling clutch and a slow speedfriction co trolling clutch.

I 38. In a mlning machme, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter anddrlving means therefor including a motor shaft and a transmissionelementdriven thereby, and

feeding means including relatively rotatable,

a each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and aseparate and distinctmulti-speed driving mechanism for each member andboth drivenby said transmission element and operative to drive saidmembers 7 either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw intheir respective flexible feeding means at relatively high speed or atrelatively low speed or to permit said mem bers to revolve in adirection to pay out their respective flexible feeding means undervarious degrees of frictional resistance or with out such resistance,each driving mechanism including a fast speed friction controllingclutch and a slow speed friction controlling clutch.

39. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter anddriving means therefor including a motor shaft and a transmissionelement driven thereby, and feeding means including relatively rotatablefeeding members of the same size'and diameter and rotatable at likeperipheral speeds both at a relatively fast predetermined movingspeedand a relativelyslow predetermined cutting speed, and eithercapable of acting as a feed member and a controlling member, saidmembers being disposed on horizontal axes extendingtransversely of themachine and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and a separate and distinct nnilti-speed driving mechanism foreach member anemia driven by said transmission element and operative todrive said members either separately or simultaneously ina direction todraw in their respective flexible feeding means atrelatively high speedor at relativelylow speed, each driving mechanism including coaxial fastand slow speed terminalgears. 7

' 40. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter anddriving means therefor including a motor shaft and artransmissionelement vdriven thereby, and feeding means including relativelyrotatable feeding members of the same size and diameter and rotatable atlike peripheral speeds both at a relatively fast predetermined movingspeed and a relatively slow predetermined cutting speed and eithercapable of acting as a feed member and a controlling member, saidmembers being disposed on horizontal axes extending transversely ofthemachine and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and ,a separate and distinct multi-speed driving mechanism, foreach member and both driven by said transmission element and operativeto drive said members either separately or simultaneously in a directionto draw in their respective flexible feeding means at relatively highspeed or at relatively low speed or to permit said members to: revolvein a direction to pay out their respective flexible feeding means underva rious degrees offfrictional resistance, each driving mechanismincluding coaxialfast and slow speed terminal gears and frictioncontrolling clutches one individual to each gear. a

4:]... In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutterand driving means therefor including a motor shaft and a transmissionelement driven thereby, and feeding meansincluding relatively rotatablefeeding members of the same size and diameter and rotatable at likeperipheral speeds both at a relatively fast predetermined mov ing speedand a relatively slowpredetermined cutting speed and either capable ofacting as afeed member and a controlling member, said members beingdisposed on horizontal axes extending transversely of the machine andeach adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and aseparate and distinct multi-speed driving mechanism for each member andboth driven by said transmission element and operative to drive saidmembers eitherseparately or simultaneously in a direction to draw intheir respective flexible feeding means at relatively high speed or atrelatively low speed or to permit said members to revolve in a directionto pay out their respective flexible feeding means under various degreesof frictional resistance or Without such resistance, eachdrivingmechanism including coaxial fast and slow speed terminal gears andfriction controlling clutches one individual to each gear.

' 42. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, andmotor operated driving means for said members for rotatingthelatter either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw intheir respective flexi-- ble feeding means at relatively high'speed orat relatively low speed includingfour coaxial worm wheels, twoindividual to each member, and four worms rotatingon parallel'axes andmeshing with said worm wheels respectively.

-13. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with, flexible feedingmeans, and motor operateddriving means for said members for rotating thelatter either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw intheir respective flexible feeding means at relatively high speed or at,

relatively low speed including four coaxial worm wheels, twollldlVldualto each memher, four worms rotating on parallel axes andmeshing with said worm wheels respectively, and clutch devices forselectively connecting said worm wheels in drivingrelation with saidfeeding members. a I

4A. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driv ing means for said members for rotatingthe latter either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw intheir respective flexible feeding means at relatively high speed or atrelatively low speed including a vertical shaft, a gear connected withsaid shaft' and driving the same,-separate and distinct fast speeddriving connections for said members each including a gear meshing'wlthsaid gear, and separate and distinct slow speed driving connections forsaid members operatively connected to said shaft.

45. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directlywith flexible feedinmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members for rotatingthe latter either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw intheir respective flexible feeding means at relatively high speed or atrelatively low speed including coaxially arranged gears, separate anddistinct slow speed driving connections between one of said gears andeach of said members, and separate and distinct fast speeddriving'connections between said other coaxial gear and each of saidfeed members.

46. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members disposed on horizontal axes extending transversely of themachine and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members for drivingsaid members either separately or simultaneously at rela tively highspeedor atrelatively low speed including alined shafts one connected toeach member, and a separate and distinct plural predetermined speedtransmission mecha-- nism for each shaft, each of said transmissionmechanisms including a fast speed gear train and a slow speedgear train,an element of each vertical axis.

47. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members disposed on horizontal axes extending transversely of themachine and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members for drlvingsaid members feed'members each adapted to cooperate directly' withflexible feeding'means, and driv ing means driven by said gear,andincluding gears meshing directly with the latter, for rotating saidmembers either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw intheir respective flexible feeding means at relatively high speedor atrelatively low speed, and

truck driving'mechanism including a final spurgear on the machinemeshing directly with said kerf cutter driving gear.

'49; A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motoroperated driving means for said members for rotatingsaid members either separately or simultaneously in a direction to drawin their re spective flexible feeding means at relatively high speed orat relatively low speed and in eluding a separate and distinct pluralspeed tIWHSIHISSIOIIIDGOhZIIHSm for each member, said mechanismsincluding four shafts each of which is parallel to all'the others, gearsdriven by said shafts respectively, and clutch devices for connectingsaid gears in driving {relation with their respective members.

50. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism lncludmg a kerf cutter anddriving means therefor including a motor shaft and a transmissionelement driven thereby, and

feeding means for the machine including relativelyrotatable feedoperating and controlling members ofthe same size and diameter androtatable at like peripheral speeds both at a relativelyfastpredetermined moving speed and a relatively slow-predeter gear trainrotating abouta mined cutting speedand either capable of" acting as afeed member and a controlling member, said members being disposed onaxes parallel to a transverse vertical plane and each adapted tocooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operateddriving means for said feeding members driven through said kerf cutterdriving element, and includingfor each member fast and slow speedtransmission mechanism through which it, but not the other member, isdriven and each transmission mechanism including fast and slow speedgear trains and friction controlling clutches one individual to eachgear train. o v

51. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter anddriving means therefor including a motor shaft and a transmissionelement driven thereby, and feeding means including relatively rotatablefeed operating and controlling members of the same size and diameter androtatable at like peripheral speeds both at a relatively fastpredetermined moving speed and a relatively slow predetermined cuttingspeed and either capable of acting as' a feed member and acontrolling-member, saidmembers each being adapted to cooperate directlywith flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for saidmembers driven:

nism including fast and slow speed gear trains and friction controllingclutches'one individual to each gear train.

52. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeedmembers each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated drivaxialgears rotatable at the same angularrate and of different diameters, separate gear trains between one ofsaid coaxial gears and said feed members respectively for driving saidmembers at one speed, and separate gear trains between the other of saidcoaxial gears and said feed members for driving the latter at arelatively different speed.

53. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operatedjdriving means for said members includingcoaxial gears rotatable'at the same angularrate and V of differentdiameters, separate gear trains between one of said coaxial gears andsaidfeed members respectively for driving said mg means for said membersincluding co members atone speed, separate gear trains between the otherof said coaxial gears and said feed members for driving the latter at arelatively differentwspeed, and clutch devices, one individual to eachgear train, for controlling the connection of said gear trains withtheir respective feed members.

54. In a i'nining machine, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter anddriving means for. said kerf cutter including a gear rotatable aboutavertical axis, and feeding means for the machine including relativelyrotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly withflexible feeding means, separate gear trains meshing with said kerfcutter driving gear and driven thereby for driving said feeding membersat one speed, a vertical sh aft driven by said kerf cutter driving gear,a gear secured to said shaft, and separate gear trains between said lastmentioned gear and said feeding members respectively for driving thelatter at arelatively different speed.

55. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter anddriving means for said kerf cutter including a gear rotatable about avertical axis, and feeding means for the machine including relativelyrotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly withflexible feeding means, separate gear'trains meshing with saidherfccutter (ll'lVll'l gear and driven thereby for driving said feedingmembers atone speed, a vertical shaft driven by said kerf cutter drivinggear, a gear secured to said shaft, and separate gear trains betweensaid last mentioned gear and said feeding members respectively fordriving the latter at a relatively different speed, each of said geartrains including a spur gear rotating about a vertical axis.

56. In a mining machine,'cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter anddriving means for said kerf cutter including a gear rotatable about avertical axis, and feeding means for the machine including relativelyrotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly withflexible feeding means, separate gear trains meshing withsaidlkerfcutter driving gear and driven thereby for driving said feedingmembers at one-speed, a vertical shaft driven by said herf cutterdriving gear, a gear secured to said shaft, and separate gcartrainsbetween said last mentioned gear and said feeding members respectivelyfor driving the latter at a relatively different speed, each of saidgear trains including a gear rotating about a vertical axis, and a"clutch controlling the connection of said gears with their respectivemembers.

57. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter anddriving nieansfor said kerf cutter including a gear rotatable about avertical, axis, and feeding means for the machine including relativelyrotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly withflexible feeding means, separate gear train-s meshing with said kerfcutter driving gear and driven thereby for driving said feeding membersat one speed, a vertical shaft driven by said kerf cutter driving gear,a gear secured to said shaft, and separate gear trains between said lastmentioned gear and said feeding members respectively for driving thelatter at a relatively different speed, each of said gear trainsincluding a worm and a worm wheel meshing therewith.

58. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter anddriving means for said kerf cutter including a gear rotatable about avertical axis, and feeding means for the machine including relativelyrotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly withflexible feeding means, separate gear trains meshing with said kerfcutter driving gear and driven thereby for driving said feeding membersat one speed, a vertical shaft driven by said kerf cutter driving gear,a gear secured to said shaft, and separate gear trains between said lastmentioned gear and said feeding members respectively for driving thelatter at a relatively different speed, each of said gear trainsincluding a worm rotating about a vertical axis and a worm whee-lmeshing with said worm.

59. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter anddriving means for said kerf cutter including a gear rotatable about avertical axis, and feeding means for the machine including relativelyrotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly withflexible feeding means, separate gear trains meshing with said kerfcutter driving gear and driven thereby for driving said feeding membersat one speed, a vertical shaft driven by said kerf cutter drivinggear,'a gear secured to said shaft, and separate gear trains betweensaid last mentioned gear and said feeding members respectively fordriving the latter at a relatively different speed, each of said geartrains including a worm and a worm wheel meshing with said worm, andsaid worm wheels rotating about horizontal axes.

60. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter anddriving means for said kerf cutter including a gear rotatable about avertical axis, and feeding means for the machine including relativelyrotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly withflexible feeding means, separate gear trains meshing with said kerfcutter driving gear and driven thereby for driving said feeding membersat one speed, a vertical shaft driven by said kerf cutter driving gear,a gear secured to said shaft, and separate gear trains between said lastmentioned gear and said feeding members respectively for driving thelatter at a relatively different speed, each of said gear trainsincluding a worm rotating "about a nism including a kerf cutter anddriving means for said kerf cutter including a gear rotatable about avertical axis, and feeding means for the machine including relativelyrotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate vdirectly -withflexible feeding means, separate gear trains meshing with said kerfcutter driving gear and driven thereby for driving said feeding membersat one speed, a vertical shaft drivenby said kerf cutter driving gear, agear secured to said shaft, and separate gear trainsbetween said lastmentioned gear and said feeding members respectively for driving thelatter at a relatively different speed, each of said gear trainsincluding a worm and a worm wheel meshing with said worm, and said wormwheels being arranged in coaxial relation.

62. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter anddriving means for said kerf cutter including a gear rotatable about avertical axis, and feeding means for the machine including relativelyrotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly withflexible feeding means, separate gear trains meshing with said kerfcutter driving gear and driven thereby for driving said feeding membersat one speed, a vertical shaft driven by said kerf cutter driving gear,a gear secured to said shaft, and separate gear trains between said lastmentioned gear and said feedingmembers respectively for driving thelatter at a relatively different speed, each of said gear trainsincluding a worm rotating about a vertical axis and a worm wheel meshingwith said worm, and said worm wheels being arranged in coaxial relation.

63; In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter anddriving means for said kerf cutter including a gear rotatable about avertical axis, and feeding means for the machine including relativelyrotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly withflexible feeding means, separate gear trains meshing with said kerfcutter driving gear and driven thereby for driving said feeding membersat one speed, a vertical, shaft driven by said kerf cutter driving gear,a gear secured to said shaft, and separate gear trains between said lastmentioned gear and said feeding members respectively for driving thelatter at a relatively different speed, each of said gear trainsincluding a worm and a worm wheel meshing with said worm, and said wormwheels being arranged in coaxial relationon horizontal axes extendingtransversely of the machine.

64. In a mining machlne, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter anddrlving means for said lrerf cutter including a gear rotatable about avertical axis, and feeding means for the machine including relativelyrotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly withflexible feeding means, separate gear trains meshing with said kerfcutter driving gear and driven thereby for driving said feeding membersat one speed, a vertical shaft driven by said kerf cutter driving gear,a gear secured to said shaft, and separate gear trains between said lastmentioned gear and said feeding members respectively for driving thelatter at a relatively different speed, each of said gear trainsincluding a worm rotating about a vertical axis and a worm wheel meshingwith said worm, and said Worm wheels being arranged in coaxial relationon horizontal axes extending transversely of the machine.

' In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

MORRIS P. HOLMES.

